It’s September and this month MLS W.O.R.K.S, the league’s community outreach initiative, is celebrating Children’s Cancer Awareness Month with its “Soccer Kicks Cancer” campaign. This year, MLS W.O.R.K.S has partnered with Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.

In an effort to help raise awareness and funds for the cause, Chivas USA will host their Childhood Cancer Awareness (CCA) Night in the Red-and-White’s match against reigning MLS Cup Champion, Sporting KC on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (PT) at the StubHub Center. As part of the campaign, CCA pin-up paper scarfs will be available for purchase for the minimum donation of $1 and they will be displayed in and around the stadium. All funds will be split 50/50 between local and national COG beneficiaries.

Additionally, Chivas USA and Sporting KC players will be wearing special “Soccer Kicks Cancer” t-shirts during the initial ceremonies and national anthem. Chivas USA Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera, as well as Sporting KC Head Coach Peter Vermes, will also wear yellow Soccer Kicks Cancer scarves throughout the match.

Make sure to visit the Sales and Service tent at top of Section 117, the ChivaKids tent at ChivaTown and the Team LA Store to purchase your paper scarf and help a great cause!

With his goal against Guatemala on Oct. 16, 2012, became the USA’s all-time leading goal scorer for defenders with 14

Tied for fourth among U.S. players for career World Cup qualifying appearances with 31

Became the 12th U.S. player to reach 100 caps when he started in the 3-2 win against Slovenia on Nov. 15, 2011

One of five U.S. players to play every minute of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Appeared in six World Cup matches spanning two tournaments

Played in 15 of 18 World Cup qualifiers in the 2010 cycle, notching game-winning goals in Guatemala in the semifinal round and against Honduras in the final phase

Captained the U.S. to the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup championship, his second regional title after first winning in 2002

Became one of the few players in U.S. Soccer history to simultaneously captain both his club side and the national team, which he did after captaining Fulham to a 3-3 draw against Tottenham on Sept. 1, and then took the armband for the USA in its game against Brazil on Sept. 9, 2007, in Chicago

A little over a year ago, Chivas USA lost U-18 defender and team captain Julio Chavez in a tragic car accident in Modesto, Calif. But on Sunday night, Chivas USA had the honor to welcome Chavez’s surviving family, parents Francisco and Isabel Chavez, as well as his four siblings Francisco, Claudia, Rafael and Cecilia.

The family was presented a special captain’s armband, specially designed in honor of Chavez by local artist Uriel Bautista, before the start of the match, armband that goalkeeper Dan Kennedy will wear in Sunday night’s match. Additionally, all Red-and-White Youth Development team captains will wear the armband for the upcoming 2014/15 USSDA season that kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 6 in Bell Gardens.

Chávez, who had been a part of Chivas USA’s Youth Academy for over three years, worked hard to become what he always dreamed of, a professional soccer player. In the 2012/2013 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, the Modesto, Calif. native played 13 games (eight starts) since an ACL tear cut his season in half.

Despite his injury, Chavez, who lived with a family in Southern California, continued attending his team’s training sessions in the City of Bell Gardens and was even able to recover ahead of planned. Outside of the field, Chavez was a great student, graduating from Birmingham High School in 2012. His performance in the classrooms and on the field led him to earn a full scholarship to attend the California State University in Los Angeles.

The Chivas USA organization welcomes the Chavez family and remembers the forever captain.